Enneagram Elements

Directional theory is available in this article: Directional Theory

In spite of its apparent modesty, the article is nearly perfect. It is one of the rare contributions to the Enneagram from an independent source having such a quality. I could observe that everything they say is on target. Every type is properly captured. The two directions are correct for every type.

If you struggle to understand a certain type, I strongly recommend to test it against this theory. Try to see the two directions as explained, it always works as they say.

Here is a very brief summary:

Approval seekers (3,6,9) also known as attachment types, mainly look for the validation of their life and actions by the environment. Natural followers and receptors, they appear as mainly supportive and valuing others. They suffer the most from rejection and disagreement and mainly want to be included and recognized.

Ideal seekers (1,4,7) also known as frustration types, mainly look for an ideal defined separately from the environment. Like any ideal, it is unreachable. Visionary and demanding, nothing is ever good enough for them. They go their own way, define their own goals and priorities, and tend to disregard validation.

Power seekers (2,5,8) also known as rejection types, tend to define themselves as against the environment, taking their energy from the certainty only them have the right to decide. They not only go their own way, this way is against the trend of the environment and imposed to others without a need for justification: their choice matters more by definition.